Who are we

Dental Health Services Victoria provides clinical dental services through The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and purchases dental services for public patients from community health agencies throughout Victoria. It also plays the leading role in Victoria in developing and delivering oral health promotion programs designed to prevent oral disease and improve oral health in the community.

Available for interview by arrangement

Appointed in February 2011, Deborah brings considerable experience in managing major public healthcare organisations, having held CEO positions at Calvary Health Care and Yarra City Council as well as senior executive positions at Mercy Health and St Vincent’s Health. Deborah has also had senior management experience in the oral health sector as Director of The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne from 1995-1999 and Regional Director of the South Australian Dental Service.

Debra has been part of the team at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne since immigrating to Australia in 2010. She is passionate about improving the oral health of children. Her interests and experience lies in the treatment of patients with special needs and those who are anxious in the dental setting. She also loves teaching students and giving lectures to clinicians for continued professional development in relation to paediatric dentistry.

Sophie is a public health dentist with more than 20 years experience. She completed a Master of Public Health in 2004, and has worked in both public and private dental practice. Sophie is passionate about public health and in providing quality oral healthcare to the disadvantaged members of her community. Sophie is concerned about the impact of sugar in society, not only on general health but also the effects on oral health and how it affects a person's well-being.

Dr Martin Hall – Chief Oral Health Advisor BDS, MPH, AdvDipManagement

Martin has over 30 years' experience as a dentist working to improve the oral health of vulnerable communities both in Australia and overseas. He previously held positions of Senior Dentist and General Manager Clinical and Oral Health Services at North Richmond Community Health. He is also currently Honorary Fellow at The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and Director of Kose Nehan - Oral Health Project in East Timor. Martin can provide expert advice on refugee and Aboriginal oral health, mental health, homelessness, community health and aged care.

Interviews and background briefings can be arranged with our staff whose areas of expertise include

Children’s dentistry

Caries (dental decay)

Periodontics (gum disease)

Orthodontics

Implants

Aboriginal oral health

Population statistics and trends in oral health

Oral surgery

We also have staff able to provide clinical statements on

mouth rinses

tooth whitening

mouth injury

mouth piercings

the impact of foods and drinks on oral health.

Public dental services

Where are public dental services available?

The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne in Carlton

Public clinics located in community health centres and regional hospitals around Victoria

Relocatable clinics and dental vans located in high-need areas around the State that visit aged care facilities and schools for children with special needs

Ozanam House (for homeless men) in North Melbourne.

What services are available?

Emergency dental care

General dental care for adults, children and youth – including check-ups, cleaning and fillings

Specialist care at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and some community clinics - including orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery

Dentures

Student clinics - free treatment by students under the supervision of fully qualified and experienced dentists and oral health professionals at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and some community dental clinics.

Who can get public dental care?

All children aged 12 years and under

Adults and adolescents aged 13 years and over if they or their parents hold a health care or pensioner concession card

Some children and adolescents without a concession card may be eligible for treatment in certain circumstances.

Oral disease and its costs

Total expenditure on dental services in Australia was $8,336 million in 2011–12, an increase of $2,203 million from $6,133 million (constant prices) in 2005–06. (Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Health expenditure Australia 2012-13).

The major causes of dental disease are dental caries (decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease).

Over 95% of people born before 1970 have experienced dental decay.

Approximately 76% of people born in the years 1970 to 1990 have experienced dental decay.

Approximately one in five Australian adults has moderate (20.5% of people) or severe (2.4% of people) forms of gum disease. (Source: National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004-06, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

Dental conditions make up 8% of preventable hospitalisations in Australia, amounting to 43,667 admissions a year. (Source: Atlas of Avoidable Hospitalisations, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, published 2007, 2001/02 data).